Methods for treating or preventing urological inflammation

ABSTRACT

Described herein are methods for treating or preventing urological inflammation in a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound comprising
     a. a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein said hyaluronan or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester comprises at least one sulfate group and at least one primary C-6 hydroxyl position of an N-acetyl-glucosamine residue comprising an alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group;   b. a partially or fully sulfated hyaluronan or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, or a combination thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application which claims priority fromU.S. nonprovisional application Ser. No. 12/870,774, filed Aug. 27,2010, which is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority fromInternational Application No. PCT/US09/039,498, filed Apr. 3, 2009,which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.61/042,310, filed Apr. 4, 2008. This application also claims priority toU.S. provisional application No. 61/352,550, filed on Jun. 8, 2010.These applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties for all of their teachings.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The research leading to this invention was funded in part by theNational Institutes of Health, Grant No. T32 HL 079874-04. TheGovernment has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND

Urological inflammation is significant health concern for manyindividuals. For example, neurogenic bladder (NGB) disease can resultfrom excess inflammation that leads to subsequent fibrosis of theurinary bladder. In children, many congenital diseases result in NGBdisease, including posterior urethral valves, bladder/cloacal exstrophy,and myelomeningocele (MMC)/Spina Bifida. NGB disease still remains oneof the most common causes of renal failure and renal transplantation inchildren. These processes in children share overlap in adults, in whomchronic inflammatory bladder disorders such as interstitial cystitis(IC), results in significant pelvic pain and debilitating urinarysymptoms. More than 4 million people in the United States have IC, withthe bulk involving primarily women. The underlying physiology is basedon inflammation, but the exact etiology remains elusive. Recently, thecost and disease burden associated with IC was analyzed by the UrologicDiseases in America Project and found to exceed $750 million dollarsannually. Presently, the treatment of this condition has been suboptimalbecause of its uncertain cause and pathogenesis. A fundamental lack ofunderstanding of the inflammatory cascades that perpetuate the diseaseprocess has resulted in a paucity of therapeutic options.

Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) is an indolentbladder disorder that has continued to be a debilitating disease withfew truly effective treatment options.¹⁻⁴ Affecting primarily women,PBS/IC is a chronic disease characterized by urinary frequency, bladderpain, nocturia, urgency, and pelvic pain. While the underlyingphysiology is based on inflammation, the disease etiology ismultifactorial;⁴ contributing mechanisms include deficiencies in the GAGlayer and mast cell-mediated neuroinflammation.⁵ In 1997, PBS/IC wasestimated to affect approximately 1 million people in the UnitedStates;⁶ more recent estimates range from 0.1%-1% of all women.²Recently, the cost and disease burden associated with PBS/IC wasanalyzed by the Urologic Diseases in America Project and found to exceed$750 million dollars annually.⁷

Two anti-inflammatory sulfated polysaccharides are currently availablemedical therapeutics, but neither is particularly effective. First,heparin is administered intravesically, but off-target effects, expense,and modest efficacy limit its regular usage.⁸⁻¹⁰ Second, oral Elmiron(pentosan polysulfate), alleged to replenish the GAG layer, has a longlead time for onset of efficacy, is only effective in <50% of women, ispoorly bioavailable (<6% of ingested) to the bladder, and has manyundesirable off-target effects.^(11, 12) Two other treatments includeintravesical instillation of Cystistat¹³ (unmodified 0.04% hyaluronicacid, HA), and CystoProtek,^(14, 15) or 0.2% chondroitin sulfate.Options for management of PBS/IC include oral hydroxyzine, quercetin,amitriptyline, gabapentin, and narcotics; intravesical DMSO,resiniferatoxin and botox have also been used, as well as combinationtherapies.²⁻⁴ Reviews of therapeutic options agree that more effectivetreatments are needed.^(2, 3)

In order for the bladder to store urine it must be compliant (pliable).This means it is imperative to hold variable volumes of urine at lowpressures. Failure results in elevated bladder pressure, transmittingurine to the kidney resulting in glomerular injury, renal parenchymalfibrosis and renal failure. Excess deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM) within the bladder wall is the main mechanism for loss of bladderwall pliability. This fibrosis can result from multiple mechanisms, oneof which includes chronic inflammation. In response, bladder fibrosis ispart of a wound healing process with accumulation of ECM proteins(collagen types I and III). Also, during chronic tissue inflammation,damage to fibroblasts and myofibroblasts activates cell proliferation,motility, contractility, and ECM synthesis. The final result isfibrosis, loss of compliance, and bladder dysfunction.

Other conventionally accepted treatments of inflammation may involve UVphototherapy, corticosteroids and glucocorticoids, acitretin,cyclosporine, and methotrexate. However, each of these treatments maycause serious side effects ranging from immune suppression and liverdisease to thinning skin and causing birth defects. Due to partial orcomplete ineffectiveness, these treatments often leave patientsunsatisfied with their results.

As indicated above, heparin treatment has also been experimentallyexplored. Heparin, a sulfated polysaccharide, has traditionally beenused almost exclusively as an anti-coagulant, but its anti-inflammatoryproperties are well known. Heparin and its derivatives have shown somepromise in treating these inflammatory diseases. Particularly heparinand its derivatives disrupt at least three important events ininflammatory cascades. First, heparin attaches to and blocks theleukocyte integrins P- and L-selectin. Second, heparin and itsderivatives reduce the inflammatory cascade by binding to and inhibitingthe cationic PMN protease human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G,which reduces proteolytic tissue injury by PMNs that escape the firstheparin barrier of selectin inhibition. Third, heparin and itsderivatives potentially inhibit the interaction of the receptor foradvanced glycation end-products (RAGE) with its ligands.

Although heparin and its derivatives have shown promise in treatinginflammation, treatment with heparin and its derivatives exhibitsseveral major drawbacks. First, heparin and its derivatives areporcine-derived; thus leading to concerns of cross-species transfer ofviruses. Second, because of heparin's anticoagulant properties,diabetics treated with this compound are at risk of excessive bleeding.Third, heparin may induce thrombocytopenia in certain individuals whoproduce an antibody to the complex of heparin with the cationic proteinplatelet factor-4 (PF-4), resulting in catastrophic platelet aggregationand generalized paradoxical arterial and venous clotting. Thus, animportant unmet need is to formulate compounds which may be used totreat urological inflammation while avoiding the myriad of side effectsseen in other treatments.

SUMMARY

Described herein are methods for treating or preventing urologicalinflammation in a subject comprising administering to the subject aneffective amount of a compound comprising

a. a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or esterthereof, wherein said hyaluronan or its pharmaceutically acceptable saltor ester comprises at least one sulfate group and at least one primaryC-6 hydroxyl position of an N-acetyl-glucosamine residue comprising analkyl group or fluoroalkyl group;b. a partially or fully sulfated hyaluronan or the pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or ester thereof, or a combination thereof.

The advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the aspects describedbelow. The advantages described below will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several aspects described below.

FIG. 1 shows a synthetic scheme for producing alkylated andfluoroalkylated hyaluronan and sulfated derivatives thereof.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary synthetic procedure for making partiallysulfated hyaluronan by (1) partial depolymerization by controlledhydrolytic chain cleavage, (2) conversion to a tributylammonium salt,and (3) sulfation to produce the partially sulfated hyaluronan.

FIG. 3 shows gross bladder images comparing saline control versus LL-37instilled bladders. Saline instilled control bladders harvested after 12h (A) and 24 h (B). Hemisected bladders exposing inner mucosal layer, noevidence of inflammation. LL-37 instilled bladders (single 45 mininstillation) harvested after 12 h (C) and 24 h (D). After 12 h (C),moderate inflammation observed, focal areas of erythema/hemorrhage, &global edema. After 24 h (D), severe inflammation observed, globalerythema/hemorrhage, significant edema & hypervascularity apparent.

FIG. 4 shows H&E histology comparing saline control versus LL-37instilled bladders. Saline instilled control bladders harvested after 12h (A) and 24 h (B). Cross section histology demonstrated no evidence ofinflammation at 12 or 24 h (U-urothelium, SBM-submucosa, LP-laminapropria, SMC-smooth muscle cell layer). LL-37 instilled bladders (single45 min instillation) harvested after 12 h (C) and 24 h (D). After 12 h(C), moderate inflammation observed, focal areas of urothelialulceration, moderate tissue edema in SBM and LP layers. Moderate PMNinfiltration in all layers (U, SBM, LP, & SMC), along with PMNmargination out of blood vessels (rectangle). No evidence ofmicroabscess (MA) formation. After 24 h (D), severe inflammationobserved, moderate edema in SBM, and severe edema in LP. Significant PMNinfiltration in all layers (circles), MA formation, and PMN marginationout of blood vessels (rectangle). All images at 10× magnification.

FIG. 5 shows tissue MPO inflammation quantification assay comparingsaline control versus LL-37 instilled bladders. Minimal MPO activity insaline control tissues (11 ng/ml after 12 h, 14 ng/ml after 24 h; bluebars). Significant elevation of MPO activity in LL-37 instilledbladders, with continued escalation from 12 h (229 ng/ml) to 24 h (849ng/ml) (red bars).

FIG. 6 shows Gross images (bladders hemisected exposing inner mucosalsurface) of GM-1111 (10 mg/ml) pre-coat/treatment prior to LL-37instillation (A) versus GM-1111 (10 mg/ml) post-treatment after LL-37instillation (B). All tissues harvested after 24 h. Minimal inflammationobserved in (A), only mild edema and patchy hypervascularity. Moderateinflammation observed in (B), moderate edema but no evidence ofhemorrhage. Panels (C) & (D) tissue histology ((C) corresponds to (A),(D) corresponds to (B)). SAGE pre-coat/treatment (C) yielded mild edemain the submucosa (SBM) but no evidence of edema in the lamina propria(LP). No evidence of PMNs were observed throughout all layers, alongwith a lack of margination out of blood vessels. GM-1111 post-treatment(D) yielded edema present in the SBM and LP, but the urothelium and SBMhad a complete lack of PMNs, along with significantly fewer PMNs in theLP layer. PMN's present (circles) were more condensed in the deeper LPlayer adjacent to the smooth muscle cell layer (SMC). No significantevidence for PMN margination out of blood vessels observed (rectangle).Panel (E) represents tissue MPO assay for GM-1111 pre-coat/treatment,illustrating a 22-fold reduction in MPO activity in pre-treated samples(purple bar). Panel (F) represents tissue MPO assay for GM-1111post-treatment, illustrating a 2.5 fold reduction in MPO activity inpost-treated samples (purple bar). All histology images at 10×magnification.

FIG. 7 shows gross images (bladders hemisected exposing inner mucosalsurface) of heparin (10 mg/ml) pre-coat/treatment prior to LL-37instillation (A) versus heparin (10 mg/ml) post-treatment after LL-37instillation (B). All tissues harvested after 24 h. Significantinflammation observed in (A), edema, hypervascularity, & hemorrhageapparent. Significant inflammation observed in (B), similar levels ofedema, hypervascularity, & hemorrhage apparent. Panels (C) & (D) tissuehistology ((C) corresponds to (A), (D) corresponds to (B)). Heparinpre-coat/treatment (C) yielded urothelial ulceration (U), edema in thesubmucosa (SBM) & lamina propria (LP), PMNs present throughout alllayers, and PMNs marginating out of blood vessels. Similar inflammatoryhistology was observed for the heparin post-treated samples (D). Panel(E) represents tissue MPO assay for heparin pre-coat/treatment,illustrating a slight reduction in MPO activity in pre-treated samples(purple bar). Panel (F) represents tissue MPO assay for heparinpost-treatment, illustrating no significant reduction in MPO activity inpost-treated samples (purple bar). All histology images at 10×magnification.

FIG. 8 shows the use of GM-1111 coating as a “bladder armor”. Panels (A)& (B) represent immediately harvested tissues after GM-1111 (10 mg/ml)instillation. (A)—low power (10×), (B)—high power (20×). (A) & (B)illustrate uniform GM-1111 coating (green fluorescence) of the urinaryGAG layer adjacent to urothelium (U), along with deeper penetration intothe submucosa (SBM), lamina propria (LP), and superficial smooth muscle(SMC) layer. Endothelial cells lining arterioles illustrated significantcoating by GM-1111 on both basal and luminal sides (rectangles). Panels(C) & (D) represent tissues harvested 24 h after GM-1111 (10 mg/ml)instillation. Both (C) & (D) imaged at 20× magnification. No evidence ofGM-1111 along the urinary GAG layer, but was still strongly apparentwithin select regions of the SBM & along the endothelium lining smallarterioles on both basal and luminal sides (rectangles). GM-1111 wasstill apparent intercalating in random regions of the SMC layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present compounds, compositions, and/or methods are disclosedand described, it is to be understood that the aspects described beloware not limited to specific compounds, synthetic methods, or uses assuch may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will bemade to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the followingmeanings:

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example,reference to “a pharmaceutical carrier” includes mixtures of two or moresuch carriers, and the like. “Optional” or “optionally” means that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where the event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not. For example, the phrase“optionally substituted lower alkyl” means that the lower alkyl groupcan or cannot be substituted and that the description includes bothunsubstituted lower alkyl and lower alkyl where there is substitution.

References in the specification and concluding claims to parts by weightof a particular element or component in a composition or article,denotes the weight relationship between the element or component and anyother elements or components in the composition or article for which apart by weight is expressed. Thus, in a compound containing 2 parts byweight of component X and 5 parts by weight component Y, X and Y arepresent at a weight ratio of 2:5, and are present in such ratioregardless of whether additional components are contained in thecompound.

A weight percent of a component, unless specifically stated to thecontrary, is based on the total weight of the formulation or compositionin which the component is included.

A residue of a chemical species, as used in the specification andconcluding claims, refers to the moiety that is the resulting product ofthe chemical species in a particular reaction scheme or subsequentformulation or chemical product, regardless of whether the moiety isactually obtained from the chemical species. For example, hyaluronanthat contains at least one —OH group can be represented by the formulaY—OH, where Y is the remainder (i.e., residue) of the hyaluronanmolecule.

The term “treat” as used herein is defined as maintaining or reducingthe symptoms of a pre-existing condition. The term “prevent” as usedherein is defined as eliminating or reducing the likelihood of theoccurrence of one or more symptoms of a disease or disorder. The term“inhibit” as used herein is the ability of the compounds describedherein to completely eliminate the activity or reduce the activity whencompared to the same activity in the absence of the compound.

The term “urological inflammation” as used herein is defined asinflammation associated with any part or region of the genitourinarysystem. Urological inflammation includes, but is not limited to,inflammation of the bladder, urethra, urothelium lining, kidney,prostate, vagina, uterus, or any combination thereof.

The term “SAGE” as used herein is defined as an alkylated andfluoroalkylated semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycosan ether.

Described herein are methods for treating or preventing urologicalinflammation. In one aspect, the method involves administering to asubject a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orester thereof, wherein said hyaluronan or its pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or ester comprises at least one sulfate group and atleast one primary C-6 hydroxyl position of an N-acetyl-glucosamineresidue comprising an alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group.

In one aspect, at least one primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of theN-acetyl-glucosamine residue of the modified hyaluronan is substitutedwith an unsubstituted alkyl group. The term “alkyl group” as used hereinis a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon group of 1 to 24carbon atoms. In one aspect, the alkyl group is a C₁-C₁₀ branched orstraight chain alkyl group. The alkyl group can be unsubstituted orsubstituted. In the case when the alkyl group is substituted, one ormore hydrogen atoms present on the alkyl group can be replaced with ormore groups including, but not limited to, alkynyl, alkenyl, aryl,halide, nitro, amino, ester, ketone, aldehyde, hydroxy, carboxylic acid,aralkyl, or alkoxy. The term “unsubstituted” with respect to the alkylgroup is a saturated hydrocarbon composed only of hydrogen and carbon.Examples of unsubstituted alkyl groups include, but are not limited to,methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, eicosyl,tetracosyl and the like.

In another aspect, at least one primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of theN-acetyl-glucosamine residue of hyaluronan is substituted with afluoroalkyl group. The term “fluoroalkyl group” as used herein is abranched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon group of 1 to 24 carbonatoms, wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted withfluorine. In certain aspects, the fluoroalkyl group includes at leastone trifluoromethyl group. In other aspects, the fluoroalkyl group hasthe formula —CH₂(CF₂)_(n)CF₃, wherein n is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. In one aspect, the fluoroalkyl group is —CH₂CF₂CF₃ or—CH₂CF₂CF₂CF₃.

In one aspect, the SAGEs are produced by (a) reacting the hyaluronan ora derivative thereof with a sufficient amount of base to deprotonate atleast one primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of the N-acetyl-glucosamineresidue, and (b) reacting the deprotonated hyaluronan or a derivativethereof with an alkylating agent or fluoroalkylating for a sufficienttime and concentration to alkylate or fluoroalkylate at least onedeprotonated primary C-6 hydroxyl group. It will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the basic conditions may also lead to cleavageof the glycosidic linkage, leading to lower molecular weight hyaluronanderivatives during the modification process. It will also be understoodthat the basic conditions deprotonate the acid to the carboxylate, andthe secondary hydroxyl groups, and that each of these nucleophilicmoieties may participate in the ensuing alkylation in proportion totheir relative abundance at equilibrium and the nucleophilicity of theanionic species. For example, 2-O and/or 3-O hydroxyl protons of theglucuronic acid moiety or the C-4 hydroxyl position of the N-acetylglucosamine moiety can be deprotonated and alkylated or fluoroalkylated.An example of this is depicted in FIG. 1, where R can be hydrogen, analkyl group, or an alkyl group. The hyaluronan starting material canexist as the free acid or the salt thereof.

Derivatives of hyaluronan starting material can also be used herein. Thederivatives include any modification of the hyaluronan prior to thealkylation or fluoroalkylation step. A wide variety of molecular weighthyaluronan can be used herein. In one aspect, the hyaluronan has amolecular weight lower than 10 kDa prior to modification (i.e.,alkylation, fluoroalkylation, and sulfation). In another aspect, thehyaluronan has a molecular weight from 10 kDa to 2,000 kDa, 25 kDa to1,000 kDa, or 50 kDa to 500 kDa prior to alkylation or fluoroalkylation.In certain aspects, the hyaluronan starting material or a derivativethereof is not derived from an animal source. In these aspects, thehyaluronan can be derived from other sources such as bacteria. Forexample, a recombinant B. subtilis expression system or Streptomycesstrain can be used to produce the hyaluronan starting material.

The hyaluronan starting material or derivative thereof is initiallyreacted with a sufficient amount of base to deprotonate at least oneprimary C-6 hydroxyl proton of the N-acetyl-glucosamine residue. Theselection of the base can vary. For example, an alkali hydroxide such assodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide can be used herein. Theconcentration or amount of base can vary depending upon the desireddegree of alkylation or fluoroalkylation. In one aspect, the amount ofbase is sufficient to deprotonate at least 0.001% of the primary C-6hydroxyl protons of the N-acetyl-glucosamine residue of the hyaluronanstarting material or derivative thereof. In other aspects, the amount ofbase is sufficient to deprotonate from 0.001% to 100%, 0.001% to 90%,0.001% to 80%, 0.001% to 70%, 0.001% to 60%, 0.001% to 50%, 1% to 50% 5%to 45%, 5% to 40%, 5% to 30%, 5% to 20%, 10% to 50%, 20% to 50%, or 30%to 50% of the primary C-6 hydroxyl protons of the N-acetyl-glucosamineresidue of the hyaluronan starting material or derivative thereof. It isunderstood that the more basic the solution, the more likely are chaincleavage reactions and the higher the degree ofalkylation/fluoroalkylation that can be achieved. For example, otherhydroxyl groups present on hyaluronan (e.g., 2-OH and/or 3-OH can bealkylated or fluoroalkylated). In one aspect, all of the hydroxyl groupspresent on hyaluronan can be alkylated or fluoroalkylated. In otheraspects, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%,80%, 90%, 95%, 100%, or any range thereof of hydroxyl protons present onhyaluronan can be deprotonated and subsequently alkylated orfluoroalkylated.

After the hyaluronan starting material or derivative thereof has beentreated with a base, the deprotonated hyaluronan is reacted with analkylating agent or fluoroalkylating agent to produce the SAGE. Examplesof alkylating agents include, but are not limited to, an alkyl halide.Alkyl bromides and iodides are particularly useful. Similarly, thefluoroalkylating agent can include a fluoroalkyl halide. Alkylatingagents and fluoroalkylating agents commonly used in organic synthesiscan be used herein.

An exemplary synthetic procedure for making alkylated andfluoroalkylated SAGEs is provided in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1,hyaluronan (HA) is treated with a base (e.g., NaOH) and an alkylatingagent (e.g., CH₃I) to methylate a primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of theN-acetyl-glucosamine residue of hyaluronan and produce methylatedhyaluronan (MHA). FIG. 1 also provides an exemplary synthetic procedurefor making a fluoroalkylated hyaluronan (FHA) using a fluoroalkylatingagent (e.g., CF₃(CF₂)₂CH₂Br).

The alkylated or fluoroalkylated SAGE is sulfated by reacting thealkylated or fluoroalkylated SAGE with a sulfating agent to produce asulfated product. The degree of sulfation can vary from partialsulfation to complete sulfation. In general, free hydroxyl groupspresent on the alkylated or fluoroalkylated hyaluronan or a derivativethereof can be sulfated. In one aspect, at least one C-2 hydroxyl protonand/or C-3 hydroxyl proton is substituted with a sulfate group. Anadditional embodiment can comprise a sulfate at the C-4 hydroxylposition of the N-acetyl glucosamine moiety or any combination ofsulfation at the C-2, C-3 positions of the glucuronic acid moiety andC-4 hydroxyl position of the N-acetyl glucosamine moiety of thecompound. The degree of sulfation can be from 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5,3.0, 3.5, 4.0, or any range thereof per disaccharide unit of thealkylated or fluoroalkylated SAGE. In one aspect, the alkylated orfluoroalkylated SAGE can be treated with a base to deprotonate one ormore hydroxyl protons followed by the addition of the sulfating agent.The sulfating agent is any compound that reacts with a hydroxyl group ordeprotonated hydroxyl group to produce a sulfate group. The molecularweight of the SAGE can vary depending upon reaction conditions. In oneaspect, the molecular weight of the SAGE is from 2 kDa to 500 kDa, 2 kDato 250 kDa, 2 kDa to 100 kDa, 2 kDa to 50 kDa, 2 kDa to 25 kDa, or from2 kDa to 10 kDa. FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary synthesis of sulfatedalkylated or fluoroalkylated SAGEs (SMHA and SFHA, respectively).

In one aspect, the alkyl group of the modified hyaluronan is methyl andat least one C-2 hydroxyl proton and/or C-3 hydroxyl proton ofhyaluronan is substituted with a sulfate group. In another aspect, thealkyl group of the modified hyaluronan is methyl, at least one C-2hydroxyl proton and/or C-3 hydroxyl proton of hyaluronan is substitutedwith a sulfate group, and the compound has a molecular weight of 2 kDato 200 kDa after alkylation. An example of such a compound is GM-111101as described in the Examples. An additional embodiment can comprise asulfate at the C-4 hydroxyl position of the N-acetyl glucosamine moietyor any combination of sulfation at the C-2, C-3 positions of theglucuronic acid moiety and C-4 hydroxyl position of the N-acetylglucosamine moiety of the compound.

The modified hyaluronans described herein can be prepared from differentsources of hyaluronic acid with different polydispersities and initialaverage molecular weights. The in vitro biochemical results, in vivobiological activities, and alkylation/sulfation levels can vary based onthe size and solubility of the starting HA. For example, starting withreadily soluble HA of sizes 5-60 kDa resulted in reproducible levels ofmethylation, sulfation, and high biological activity.

In one aspect, a partially or fully sulfated hyaluronan or thepharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof can be administered toa subject in order to treat or prevent urological inflammation. The term“partially sulfated hyaluronan” as used herein is when the hyaluronanhas a degree of sulfation less than 3.5 per disaccharide unit. The term“fully sulfated hyaluronan” as used herein is when the hyaluronan has adegree of sulfation of 3.5 to 4.0 per disaccharide unit.

The hyaluronan starting material can exist as the free acid or the saltthereof. Derivatives of hyaluronan starting material can also be usedherein. The derivatives include any modification of the hyaluronan priorto sulfation. A wide variety of molecular weight hyaluronans can be usedherein for the depolymerization step. In one aspect, the hyaluronan hasa molecular weight greater than 1,000 kDa prior to depolymerization. Inanother aspect, the hyaluronan can have a molecular weight of 10 kDa to1,000 kDa prior to depolymerization. In another aspect, the hyaluronancan have a molecular weight of less than 10 kDa prior todepolymerization. A wide variety of hyaluronan molecular weights canalso be employed for the sulfation step. In one aspect, the hyaluronanstarting material can be converted to low molecular hyaluronan or ahyaluronan oligosaccharide prior to sulfation to produce the partiallysulfated hyaluronan. As will be discussed in greater detail below, lowmolecular weight hyaluronan is hyaluronan that has been degraded with anacid or base. Alternatively, hyaluronan oligosaccharide is produced bydegrading hyaluronan with an enzyme such as, for example, hyaluronansynthase or hyaluronidase in a controlled fashion. Subsequently,hyaluronan oligosaccharides having different molecular weights can beseparated by GPC or ion exchange separation. FIG. 1 depicts exemplaryprocedures for producing low molecular hyaluronan or hyaluronanoligosaccharide from hyaluronan.

In one aspect, the hyaluronan or hyaluronan oligosaccharide beingsulfated has a molecular weight from 1 kDa to 2,000 kDa. In anotheraspect, the low molecular hyaluronan or hyaluronan oligosaccharide beingsulfated has a molecular weight from 5 kDa to 500 kDa, 10 kDa to 200kDa, or 20 kDa to 100 kDa. Exemplary procedures for preparing lowmolecular weight hyaluronan are provided in the Examples. As discussedabove, the molecular weight of the hyaluronan can be modified bycleaving hyaluronan with an acid or base to produce lower molecularweight hyaluronan. In certain aspects, the hyaluronan starting materialor a derivative thereof is not derived from an animal source. In theseaspects, the hyaluronan can be derived from other sources such asbacteria. For example, a recombinant B. subtilis expression system canbe used to produce the hyaluronan starting material.

After the low molecular hyaluronan or hyaluronan oligosaccharide hasbeen treated with a base, it is reacted with a sulfating agent toproduce the partially or fully sulfated hyaluronan. Sulfating agentscommonly used in organic synthesis can be used herein. Examples ofsulfating agents include, but are not limited to, pyridine-sulfurtrioxide complex, triethylamine-sulfur trioxide complex, or dimethylformamide-sulfur trioxide comples. An exemplary synthetic procedure formaking partially sulfated hyaluronan is provided in FIG. 2. Referring toFIG. 2, low molecular hyaluronan or hyaluronan oligosaccharide isconverted to the tributylamine salt, lyophilized, resuspended indimethylformamide, and subsequently treated with a sulfating agent(e.g., pyridine-sulfur trioxide complex, triethylamine-sulfur trioxidecomplex, or dimethyl formamide-sulfur trioxide complex) to sulfate oneor more hydroxyl protons.

In one aspect, the degree of sulfation is from 0.1, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5,3.0, 3.5, or up to 4.0 or any range thereof per disaccharide unit of thepartially sulfated hyaluronan. In one aspect, the average molecularweight of the partially or fully sulfated hyaluronan is less than 100kDa. In another aspect, the partially sulfated hyaluronan has an averagemolecular size from 1 kDa to less than 50 kDa, 2 Da to 20 kDa, or 3 kDato 10 kDa. Depending upon reaction conditions, one or more differenthydroxyl groups present in the low molecular hyaluronan or hyaluronanoligosaccharide can be sulfated. In one aspect, the primary C-6 hydroxylproton of the N-acetyl-glucosamine residue of the low molecularhyaluronan or hyaluronan oligosaccharide is sulfated. In another aspect,the primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of the N-acetyl-glucosamine residue ofhyaluronan and at least one C-2 hydroxyl proton or C-3 hydroxyl protonof a uronic acid residue or at least one C-4 hydroxyl proton of anN-acetyl-glucosamine residue is substituted with a sulfate group. Inanother aspect, the primary C-6 hydroxyl proton of theN-acetyl-glucosamine residue of the low molecular hyaluronan orhyaluronan oligosaccharide and at least one C-2 hydroxyl proton and C-3hydroxyl proton of a uronic acid residue and at least one C-4 hydroxylproton of an N-acetyl-glucosamine residue is substituted with a sulfategroup. In another aspect, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%,40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or less than 100%, or any rangethereof of hydroxyl protons present on the low molecular hyaluronan orhyaluronan oligosaccharide can be deprotonated and subsequentlysulfated.

The modified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan describedherein can be the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are prepared by treating the free acidwith an appropriate amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable base. Thepharmaceutically acceptable salt can be an organic salt, a metal salt,or a combination thereof. Representative pharmaceutically acceptablebases are ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide,lithium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, ferroushydroxide, zinc hydroxide, copper hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, ferrichydroxide, isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine,tripropylamine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol,2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-trimethylethanolammonium cation (choline),lysine, arginine, histidine, and the like. In one aspect, the reactionis conducted in water, alone or in combination with an inert,water-miscible organic solvent, at a temperature of from about 0° C. toabout 100° C. such as at room temperature. The molar ratio of compoundsof structural formula I to base used are chosen to provide the ratiodesired for any particular salts. For preparing, for example, theammonium salts of the free acid starting material, the starting materialcan be treated with approximately one equivalent of pharmaceuticallyacceptable base to yield a neutral salt.

Ester derivatives are typically prepared as precursors to the acid formof the compounds, as illustrated in the examples below—and accordinglycan serve as prodrugs. Generally, these derivatives will be lower alkylesters such as methyl, ethyl, and the like. Amide derivatives —(CO)NH₂,—(CO)NHR and —(CO)NR₂, where R is an alkyl group defined above, can beprepared by reaction of the carboxylic acid-containing compound withammonia or a substituted amine. Also, the esters can be fatty acidesters. For example, the palmitic ester has been prepared and can beused as an alternative esterase-activated prodrug.

The modified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan describedherein can be formulated in any excipient the biological system orentity can tolerate to produce pharmaceutical compositions. Examples ofsuch excipients include, but are not limited to, water, aqueoushyaluronic acid, saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, Hank'ssolution, and other aqueous physiologically balanced salt solutions.Nonaqueous vehicles, such as fixed oils, vegetable oils such as oliveoil and sesame oil, triglycerides, propylene glycol, polyethyleneglycol, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate can also beused. Other useful formulations include suspensions containing viscosityenhancing agents, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol, ordextran. Excipients can also contain minor amounts of additives, such assubstances that enhance isotonicity and chemical stability. Examples ofbuffers include phosphate buffer, bicarbonate buffer and Tris buffer,while examples of preservatives include thimerosol, cresols, formalinand benzyl alcohol. In certain aspects, the pH can be modified dependingupon the mode of administration. For example, the pH of the compositionis from about 5 to about 6, which is suitable for topical applications.Additionally, the pharmaceutical compositions can include carriers,thickeners, diluents, preservatives, surface active agents and the likein addition to the compounds described herein.

The pharmaceutical compositions can also include one or more activeingredients used in combination with the compounds described herein. Theresulting pharmaceutical composition can provide a system for sustained,continuous delivery of drugs and other biologically-active agents totissues adjacent to or distant from the application site. Thebiologically-active agent is capable of providing a local or systemicbiological, physiological or therapeutic effect in the biological systemto which it is applied. For example, the agent can act to control and/orprevent infection or inflammation, enhance cell growth and tissueregeneration, control tumor growth, act as an analgesic, promoteanti-cell attachment, reduce alveolar bone and tooth loss, inhibitdegeneration of cartilage and weight bearing joints, and enhance bonegrowth, among other functions. Additionally, any of the compoundsdescribed herein can contain combinations of two or morepharmaceutically-acceptable compounds.

Examples of such compounds include, but are not limited to,antimicrobial agents, antiinflammatory agents, anesthetics, and thelike. Methods for using these compositions as drug delivery devices aredescribed in detail below.

The pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared using techniques knownin the art. In one aspect, the composition is prepared by admixing themodified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan describedherein with a pharmaceutically-acceptable compound and/or carrier. Theterm “admixing” is defined as mixing the two components together so thatthere is no chemical reaction or physical interaction. The term“admixing” also includes the chemical reaction or physical interactionbetween the compound and the pharmaceutically-acceptable compound.Covalent bonding to reactive therapeutic drugs, e.g., those havingnucleophilic groups, can be undertaken on the compound. Second,non-covalent entrapment of a pharmacologically active agent in across-linked polysaccharide is also possible. Third, electrostatic orhydrophobic interactions can facilitate retention of apharmaceutically-acceptable compound in the compounds described herein.

It will be appreciated that the actual preferred amounts of the modifiedhyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan in a specified casewill vary according to the specific compound being utilized, theparticular compositions formulated, the mode of application, and theparticular situs and subject being treated. Dosages for a given host canbe determined using conventional considerations, e.g. by customarycomparison of the differential activities of the subject compounds andof a known agent, e.g., by means of an appropriate conventionalpharmacological protocol. Physicians and formulators, skilled in the artof determining doses of pharmaceutical compounds, will have no problemsdetermining dose according to standard recommendations (Physician's DeskReference, Barnhart Publishing (1999).

The pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be administered ina number of ways depending on whether local or systemic treatment isdesired, and on the area to be treated. Formulations can includeointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays,lozenges, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers,aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like can be necessaryor desirable. Administration can also be directly into the lung byinhalation of an aerosol or dry micronized powder. Administration canalso be by direct injection into the inflamed or degenerating jointspace. Administration can also occur intravenously, intramuscularly,subcutaneously, by ingestion, or transmucosally. Transmucosal routes mayinclude transbuccal, sublingual, oral, vaginal, intranasal, rectal, andthe like. Administration can also occur by intravesical instillation,i.e., via urethral catheter into the bladder.

Preparations for administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueoussolutions, suspensions, and emulsions. Examples of non-aqueous carriersinclude water, alcoholic/aqueous solutions, emulsions or suspensions,including saline and buffered media. Parenteral vehicles, if needed forcollateral use of the disclosed compositions and methods, include sodiumchloride solution, Ringer's dextrose, dextrose and sodium chloride,lactated Ringer's, or fixed oils. Intravenous vehicles, if needed forcollateral use of the disclosed compositions and methods, include fluidand nutrient replenishers, electrolyte replenishers (such as those basedon Ringer's dextrose), and the like. Preservatives and other additivescan also be present such as, for example, antimicrobials, anti-oxidants,chelating agents, and inert gases and the like.

Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the condition tobe treated, but will normally be one or more doses per day, with courseof treatment lasting from several days to several months or until one ofordinary skill in the art determines the delivery should cease. Personsof ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosingmethodologies and repetition rates.

The modified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan can beinjected parenterally, either intravenously, intramuscularly orsubcutaneously, to treat or prevent systemic urological inflammatorydisorders. Similarly, the modified hyaluronan or partially/fullysulfated hyaluronan can also be administered orally in capsules, intablets, in chewing gum, in lozenges, in powders, or in a beverage.Alternatively, the modified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfatedhyaluronan can be administered by intravesical installation (i.e., via acatheter).

The modified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan describedherein can deliver at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable compound toa patient in need of such delivery, comprising contacting at least onetissue capable of receiving the pharmaceutically-acceptable compoundwith one or more compositions described herein. The modified hyaluronanor partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan can be used as a carrier for awide variety of releasable biologically active substances havingcurative or therapeutic value for human or non-human animals. Many ofthese substances that can be carried by the modified hyaluronan orpartially/fully sulfated hyaluronan are discussed above. Included amongbiologically active materials which are suitable for incorporation intothe gels of the invention are therapeutic drugs, e.g., anti-inflammatoryagents, anti-pyretic agents, steroidal and non-steroidal drugs foranti-inflammatory use, hormones, growth factors, contraceptive agents,antivirals, antibacterials, antifungals, analgesics, hypnotics,sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-convulsants, muscle relaxants, localanesthetics, antispasmodics, antiulcer drugs, peptidic agonists,sympathimometic agents, cardiovascular agents, antitumor agents,oligonucleotides and their analogues and so forth. A biologically activesubstance is added in pharmaceutically active amounts.

The modified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan describedherein are safer than other related therapies. For example, heparin andother sulfated polysaccharides can reduce diabetic complications in bothanimal and clinical studies, and are particularly effective againstdiabetic nephropathy. However, heparins cannot be used in generalclinical settings to prevent diabetic complications because theanticoagulant properties present an excessive risk of bleeding. Themodified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan describedherein possess low anticoagulant activity, which is an importantconsideration for long-term treatment, which is demonstrated below inthe Examples. Additionally, the SAGEs have little to no toxicity, whichis also demonstrated in the Examples.

In one aspect, the modified hyaluronan or partially/fully sulfatedhyaluronan described herein can inhibit the activity of LL-37 in asubject. LL-37 is a host defense peptide produced from the C-terminus ofthe hCAP18 precursor protein and is produced in circulating neutrophils,cells of the mucosal epithelium, keratinocytes, myeloid bone marrowcells, epithelial cells of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, epididymisgland and lungs. LL-37 is produced by epithelial cells (urothelialcells) of the urinary tract in both humans and mice, with significantlyelevated urinary levels during episodes of kidney and/or bladderinfections (pyelonephritis or cystitis). In addition to the role thatLL-37 has in eradicating microbes, it is immunomodulatory and triggersinflammation via the promotion of leukocyte chemotaxis, angiogenesis,stimulating mast cell degranulation, enhancing neutrophil function,inducing chemokines including IL-8, regulating inflammatory responsesvia NF-κB, and increasing expression of extracellular matrix components.While the details of the downstream inflammatory mechanisms of actionfor LL-37 are not completely understood, responses involve theactivation of a number of cell-surface receptors and signaling pathways.As shown in the Examples, the inhibition of LL-37 by compounds describedherein not only is useful in treating urological inflammation but canalso be useful in preventing urological inflammation.

Based on the link between elevated levels of LL-37 and the occurrence ofurological inflammation, described herein is a method for screening acompound's ability to treat or prevent urological inflammation in asubject. In one aspect, the method involves:

administering to a laboratory animal an amount of LL-37 that inducesinflammation in the subject;

administering to the animal prior to step (a) and/or after step (a) thecompound; and

comparing the amount of inflammation in the animal to a control animalthat was administered the same amount of LL-37 but not the compound.

In one aspect, a murine model can be used to screen the ability ofdifferent compounds to inhibit LL-37 and, thus, treat or preventurological inflammation. Exemplary procedures for screening compoundsuseful in the treatment and prevention of urological inflammation areprovided in the Examples.

In certain aspects, it is desirable to track the ability of the modifiedhyaluronan or partially/fully sulfated hyaluronan to penetrate andlocalize in a urological tissue. For example, the modified hyaluronan orpartially/fully sulfated hyaluronan can be fluorescently labeled. In oneaspect, the fluorescently labeled modified hyaluronan or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, comprises (a) atleast one sulfate group; (b) at least one primary C-6 hydroxyl positionof an N-acetyl-glucosamine residue comprising an alkyl group orfluoroalkyl group, and (c) a fluorescent group covalently bonded to atleast one disaccharide unit. Exemplary procedures for making thefluorescently labeled modified hyaluronan are provided in the Examples.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinaryskill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how thecompounds, compositions, and methods described and claimed herein aremade and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary and are notintended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as theirinvention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect tonumbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some errors anddeviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, partsare parts by weight, temperature is in ° C. or is at ambienttemperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric. There are numerousvariations and combinations of reaction conditions, e.g., componentconcentrations, desired solvents, solvent mixtures, temperatures,pressures and other reaction ranges and conditions that can be used tooptimize the product purity and yield obtained from the describedprocess. Only reasonable and routine experimentation will be required tooptimize such process conditions.

Materials and Methods Modified Hyaluronan

The modified hyaluronan GM-1111 evaluated in the studies below waspreviously synthesized in International Publication No. WO 2009/124266,which is incorporated by reference. The structure of GM-1111 is providedin FIG. 1, and is shown as “SMHA”).

LL-37 Induced Model of Bladder Inflammation

All animal experiments were performed under full approval and inaccordance with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at theUniversity of Utah. Adult female C57/Bl6 mice (Charles River,Wilmington, Mass.), 8 to 12 weeks old, were utilized for all animalexperiments. All animals were housed and maintained in a pathogen-freeenvironment, received food and water ad libitum with a 12 h light cycle.Synthesized LL-37 was purchased in HPLC—homogenous form from theUniversity of Utah Core Facility (peptide sequence:LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES), and dissolved in nanopure waterto give a working concentration of 320 μM. Each experimental groupconsisted of 6 mice. Following isoflurane (Minrad, Bethlehem, Pa.)mediated general anesthesia, a flexible catheter (SILASTIC laboratorytubing, DOW Corning, 0.30 mm I.D.×0.64 mm O.D., 1.5 cm length) wasintroduced under sterile conditions transurethrally. After completedrainage of urine, 150 μl of pyrogen-free 0.9% sodium chloride solutionwas instilled for 1 min and emptied as a washing step. Next, LL-37 (320μM) was instilled at a volume equal to maximum capacity (150 μl) with anintravesical contact/dwell time of 45 min. Controls consisted ofpyrogen-free 0.9% sodium chloride instillation, at the same volume andcontact/dwell time as the experimental group. To avoid possible injuryto the bladder from abrupt over distension, and prevention of potentialvesicoureteral reflux, infusion manipulation was kept at a slow velocityand the instillation syringe was kept on the catheter to assure noleakage of solution occurred during the entire 45 min period. After the45 min contact/dwell time, bladders were then emptied to completion andanimals allowed to arise from anesthesia. Depending on the experimentalgroup, animals were sacrificed and tissues harvested at either 12 or 24h following the intravesical administration.

Modified Hyaluronan and Heparin Treatment of LL-37 Induced BladderInflammation

Two experimental groups were examined for both SAGE and heparintreatment. Mice were anesthetized and catheterized as detailedpreviously. Group 1 (n=4 for each SAGE and heparin treatment) consistedof first instilling LL-37 (320 μM) at maximum bladder capacity (150 μl)for 45 min, then emptied to completion. Immediately thereafter, eitherSAGE or heparin at 10 mg/ml was instilled at maximum bladder capacity(150 μl) for 45 min. Bladders were then harvested at 24 h following SAGEor heparin intravesical administration. Group 2 (n=4 for each SAGE andheparin treatment) consisted of first instilling SAGE or heparin at 10mg/ml at maximum bladder capacity for 45 min. Bladders were then emptiedand challenged with LL-37 (320 μM) for 45 min. Tissues were thenharvested at 24 h following LL-37 administration. All bladder tissueswere hemisected, processed, fixed, and either H&E stained or tissue MPOassays performed to quantitate levels of inflammation.

Synthesis of Fluorescent GM-1111

To a stirred solution of 50 mg of the GM-1111 (Table 1) and 10 mg ofN-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in 10 mL of deionized (DI) H₂O was added asolution of 1 mg of AlexaFluor 633 hydrazide (Invitrogen, Eugene, Oreg.)in 4 mL of dimethylformamide (DMF). The pH was adjusted to 4.75, and 10mg of powdered N,N-diethylaminopropyl carbodiimide (EDCI) was added. ThepH of mixture was maintained at 4.75 by dropwise addition of 3 N NaOH.The reaction mixture was protected from light with Al foil, and stirredovernight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then dialyzedtwice against 100 mM NaCl solution (MWCO 1000), and then once against DIH₂O. The dialyzed solution was lyophilized to dryness to give 25 mg ofthe GM-1111-Alexa Fluor 633 conjugate. The substitution degree (SD) wasdetermined from absorption of a 1 mg/mL solution at 632 nm using a Cary50 UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Varian, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.). ForGM-1111 with an average MW of 5000 Da and disaccharide weight of 539(nine disaccharides) and 1200 Da for AlexaFluor 633, the SD was 14%, orapproximately one AlexaFluor 633 modification per seven disaccharideunits.

Coating of Bladders by Instillation of AlexaFluor 633-GM-1111

Mice were anesthetized and catheterized in the same fashion as detailedabove. Bladders were instilled with the SAGE AlexaFluor 633 bioconjugate(10 mg/ml) at maximum bladder capacity (150 μl) for 45 min. Bladderswere then harvested immediately thereafter (t=0) or after 24 h (t=24) ofintravesical SAGE administration. All tissues were processed, fixed andsectioned under light sensitive conditions. Tissue sections werecounterstained with DAPi in order to identify all cellular nuclei.Fluorescence imaging was carried out at the University of Utah COREfacilities utilizing a FV1000 Confocal Olympus IX81 microscope and HeNelaser with variable emission filters.

Tissue Collection and Histological Evaluation

Bladders were removed and split longitudinally. One section of thebladder was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and the second section wasprocessed for tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Gross images ofhemi-sected bladders were performed with a dissecting stereo microscopeand photographed with a Moticam 1000 digital camera (Moticam NorthAmerica, Richmond, Calif.). To assess inflammatory changes in bladders,tissues were processed through a graded alcohol series and embedded inparaffin, and 5 μM sections were cut and stained with hematoxylin andeosin (H&E). Severity of bladder inflammation was assessed by thepresence and degree of inflammatory infiltrate (polymorphonuclearleukocytes (PMNs)) in the bladder epithelium (urothelium), submucosa,lamina propria and smooth muscle layers, the presence and extent ofedema and hemorrhage, and the presence of surface urothelial changes,including erosion, ulceration, and microabscess formation. Individualslides were examined and photographed on an Olympus BX41 microscope(Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) and an Imaging Planet 1.4 MPXdigital microscope camera (Imaging Planet Research, Goleta, Calif.).

Tissue Myeloperoxidase Assay

Hemi-sected bladders destined for tissue MPO assays were flash frozen inliquid nitrogen and stored in −80° C. Lysis buffer (200 mM NaCl, 5 mMEDTA, 10 mM Tris, 10% glycerin) (SIGMA, St. Louis, Mo.), and proteaseinhibitor cocktail (Thermo Scientific, Cat #78140, Rockford, Ill.) wereadded to frozen tissue samples (200 μl lysis buffer/10 mg frozentissue). Tissues were then minced with micro-scissors and homogenizedfor 90 seconds at 4° C. with a small sample lab Tissue-TearorHomogenizer (Biospec Products, Model #985-370, Bartlesville, Okla.).Samples were centrifuged twice for 15 min each (1500 g at 4° C.) andsupernatant was transferred to new sterile tubes. The activity of MPOwas quantified in bladder sample homogenates using an MPO Sandwich ELISAKit (Cell Sciences, Cat #HK210, Canton, Mass.). Briefly, samples werediluted 1:5 with ELISA kit Diluent Buffer and assay was carried outfollowing manufactures recommendations. 100 μl duplicates of standards,samples and controls were added to wells. Unless otherwise specified,all incubations were carried out at R.T. for one h, followed by washing.Tracer and streptavidin-peroxidase were added sequentially followingincubation and washing procedures. TMB substrate was added and incubatedfor 25 min. Stop solution was then added and absorbance was measured at450 nm in a microplate reader (Optimax Tunable, Molecular Devices,Sunnyvale, Calif.). A standard curve was generated on each sample plate,and a linear regression curve was generated. All values were expressedas means+/−SD.

Anti-Coagulant Properties and Toxicity

GM-1111 showed no anti-Xa and <0.2 U/mg anti-IIa anticoagulant activity,compared to 150 U/mg each for unfractionated heparin. Unlike heparin,highly-charged polyanionic polymers are potent inducers of the intrinsiccoagulation cascade by activation of Factor XII, secondarily activatingkinins. GM-1111 appears safer than medical heparin in tests foractivation of Factor XII, even at concentrations 10-100-fold higher thanneeded to achieve pharmacologic inhibition of P-selectin and RAGE.GM-1111 appears to have optimal safety and broad efficacy.

GM-1111 showed no toxicity for cultured fibroblasts or epithelial cellsand no cutaneous toxicity in standard Draize tests. In a preliminarynon-GLP study on the effects of GM-1111 as a single i.v. dose to rats,and in daily i.v. injections (n=3 rats per sex), GM-1111 did not producesigns of toxicity at any dose level for single acute doses as high as100 mg/kg and 7 repeated i.v. daily doses of 10 mg/kg. The i.v. LD₅₀ forGM-1111 is >100 mg/kg.

Results LL-37 Induced Bladder Inflammation

After one single intravesical exposure to LL-37, tissues were harvestedand examined at 12 and 24 h. On gross inspection after 12 h, thebladders appeared to have moderate inflammation, characterized by focalareas of erythema and hemorrhage, along with global edema (FIG. 3C).After 24 h, the bladders appeared to have severe inflammation,characterized with global erythema and hemorrhage, along withsignificant tissue edema and hypervascularity (FIG. 3D). Saline exposedcontrol tissues at both time points were completely normal, with noevidence of inflammation observed (FIGS. 3A & 3B).

Both 12 and 24 h tissues were then processed and evaluated by histologywith H&E staining. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A & 3B, no inflammation wasobserved in the saline exposed controls as expected at both time points.The urothelium, submucosa, lamina propria, and smooth muscle layers werecompletely intact with no evidence of PMN or lymphocyte infiltration,and lack of tissue edema. In the LL-37 exposed tissues after 12 h (FIG.3C), there were focal areas of urothelial cell ulceration and moderatetissue edema present in the submucosa and lamina propria layers. Inaddition, a moderate number of PMNs were observed within the urothelial,submucosa and lamina propria (superficial and deep) layers, along withPMNs marginating out of blood vessels. No evidence of microabscesses(PMN clusters) were observed after 12 h. The evidence from both thegross and histologic findings demonstrated that a moderate tissueinflammatory response had occurred after 12 h. These findings wereconsistently observed for all six mice in the 12 h harvest group.

For the 24 h harvest group, the histological evaluation of the LL-37exposed bladders yielded a similar inflammatory response, but moreprofound levels of inflammation were apparent (FIG. 4D). The qualitativeamount of tissue edema present in the submucosa was similar between the24 h and 12 h tissues, but the lamina propria did yield more profoundlevels of edema. In addition, the 24 h tissue did have significantlymore PMNs present in the urothelial, submucosa, and lamina propria(superficial and deep) layers. Furthermore, the 24 h tissues hadmultiple areas with microabscesses (PMN clusters) present, furthersignifying a more profound inflammatory response. Similar patterns ofPMN margination out of blood vessels were seen for both harvest groups.The evidence from both the gross and histologic findings for the 24 hharvest group demonstrated that severe levels of inflammation wereapparent after one single LL-37 exposure, more so than for the 12 hharvest group. Similar to the 12 h harvest group, findings wereconsistently observed for all six mice in the 24 h cohort.

The degree of inflammation was quantified using a tissue MPO assay. MPOis glycoprotein expressed in all cells of the myeloid lineage and isabundantly present in azurophilic granules of PMNs. It is an importantenzyme released by activated PMNs during episodes of infection orinflammation, and is therefore utilized as a quantitative marker forinflammation. Our results comparing the 12 h harvest tissues (FIG. 5)illustrated minimal MPO activity for control saline instilled bladders(11 ng/ml) and control non-manipulated/non-instilled bladders (5 ng/ml).Strikingly, the LL-37 exposed tissues after 12 h yielded a 21-foldincrease in MPO activity (229 ng/ml) when compared to control salineexposed samples (11 ng/ml). Further evaluation of the 24 h harvesttissues (FIG. 5) again yielded minimal MPO activity in the controlsaline exposed tissues (14 ng/ml) versus a 61-fold increase (849 ng/ml)in the LL-37 exposed bladders. The MPO data support and are consistentwith the H&E histology. Thus, moderate levels of inflammation werepresent after a 12 h period, with an increased level of inflammationafter 24 h.

Modified Hyaluronan Abrogation of LL-37 Induced Bladder Inflammation

The ability of the GM-1111 to either prevent or mitigate LL-37 inducedbladder inflammation was evaluated by instillation of a 10 mg/mlsolution of the sulfated polysaccharide. Two groups were examined. Group1 (post-treatment, n=4) consisted of LL-37 exposure for 45 min thenfollowed by treatment with GM-1111 immediately thereafter (45 min dwelltime). Group 2 (pre-treatment, n=4) consisted of treatment with GM-1111(45 min dwell time) then followed with LL-37 exposure for 45 min. Group2 served to evaluate if pre-coating would yield a prophylactic effect.In both groups, mice were sacrificed after 24 h and bladders wereharvested, imaged, processed, and H&E stained.

In group 1, gross inspection of the GM-1111 post-treated bladdersappeared to show less erythema and hypervascularity, but bladders werestill edematous (FIG. 6B). Histologic evaluation revealed edema in thesubmucosa and lamina propria, although strikingly the urothelium andsubmucosa had a complete lack of PMNs, along with significantly fewerPMNs seen throughout the lamina propria layer. In addition, the PMNsthat were present appeared to be limited to the deeper lamina proprialayer, a finding consistent with a gradient type of response (FIG. 6D).Furthermore, no evidence of microabscess formation was observed in theSAGE treated bladders, along with a paucity of PMNs rolling out of bloodvessels. Inflammatory quantification with tissue MPO assay, comparingLL-37 inflamed bladders vs. group 1 tissues revealed a 2.5 folddiminished inflammatory response in GM-1111 treated bladders (FIG.3F—blue bar) (LL-37 MPO activity 849 ng/ml vs. group 1 post-treatmentwith SAGE MPO activity 347 ng/ml).

In group 2, gross inspection yielded SAGE pre-treated bladders appearedto have almost a complete lack of erythema and hypervascularity, andonly minimal edema was apparent (FIG. 6A). Histologic evaluationrevealed mild edema in the submucosa, but no evidence of edema in thelamina propria. Strikingly, no evidence of PMNs were observed throughoutall layers of the bladder, along with no evidence of PMNs rolling ormarginating out of blood vessels (FIG. 6C). Overall, the GM-1111pre-treated tissues almost resembled non-inflamed saline controltissues. Inflammatory quantification with tissue MPO assay, comparingLL-37 inflamed bladders vs. group 2 tissues, revealed a 22.3-folddiminished inflammatory response in GM-1111 pre-treated bladders (FIG.6E) (LL-37 MPO activity 849 ng/ml vs. group 2 pre-treatment with GM-1111MPO activity 38 ng/ml). Both the histologic findings and MPO resultssuggested that pre-treatment of bladder tissues with GM-1111 could serveas an important protective therapeutic.

The heparin treated bladders yielded sub-optimal anti-inflammatoryresults. In group 1 (post-treatment) gross results revealed significantinflammation with edema, hypervascularity and hemorrhage all apparent(FIG. 7B). Histologic findings were consistent, yielding urothelialulceration, submucosa and lamina propria edema, PMNs abundant throughoutall tissue layers, and PMNs marginating from blood vessels (FIG. 7D).MPO assays (FIG. 7F) revealed almost negligible differences ininflammatory activity between untreated LL-37 challenged bladders andheparin post-treated tissues (LL-37 MPO activity 849 ng/ml vs. group 1post-treatment with heparin MPO activity 827 ng/ml). In group 2(pre-treatment) gross results revealed similar findings to group 1, withsignificant inflammation in the form of edema, hypervascularity andhemorrhage all apparent (FIG. 7A). Histologic findings mirrored group 1as well, with urothelial ulceration, submucosa and lamina propria edema,PMNs present throughout all tissue layers, and PMNs marginating fromblood vessels (FIG. 7C). MPO assays (FIG. 7E) revealed only slightdifferences in inflammatory activity between untreated LL-37 challengedbladders and heparin pre-treated tissues (LL-37 MPO activity 849 ng/mlvs. group 2 pre-treatment with heparin MPO activity 759 ng/ml).

GM-1111 as a “Bladder Armor” Agent

In order to better elucidate the tissue coating and penetrationproperties of the modified hyaluronans, a 10 mg/ml solution of thefluorescently labeled AlexaFluor 633-GM-1111 was instilled and harvestedtissues immediately (t=0) after a single 45 min dwell time instillationand also tissues after 24 h (t=24). Processed tissues were also stainedwith DAPi in order to identify all cellular nuclei. Initial results forthe immediate harvest group showed uniform coating of the superficialurinary GAG layer adjacent to the urothelium, along with deeperpenetration into the submucosa, lamina propria, and superficial smoothmuscle layer (FIGS. 8A & 8B). In addition, endothelial cells liningarterioles illustrating significant coating on both the basal andluminal sides of these vascular structures with GM-1111. No evidence ofcoating GM-1111 was observed in the endothelium lining venules. Resultsfor the 24 h harvest group yielded no evidence of the presence ofGM-1111 along the urinary GAG layer that was previously observed in theimmediate harvest group. Importantly, GM-1111 was still stronglyapparent within regions of the submucosa and along the endotheliumlining small arterioles on both basal and luminal sides (FIGS. 8C & 8D).Finally, GM-1111 was still visualized intercalating in random regions ofthe bladder smooth muscle. These results indicated that one singleexposure of GM-1111 still persisted in the bladder after a 24 h period.

Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. Thedisclosures of these publications in their entireties are herebyincorporated by reference into this application in order to more fullydescribe the compounds, compositions and methods described herein.Various modifications and variations can be made to the compounds,compositions and methods described herein. Other aspects of thecompounds, compositions and methods described herein will be apparentfrom consideration of the specification and practice of the compounds,compositions and methods disclosed herein. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary.

REFERENCES

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1. A method for treating or preventing urological inflammation in asubject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of acompound comprising a. a modified hyaluronan or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein said hyaluronan or itspharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester comprises at least one sulfategroup and at least one primary C-6 hydroxyl position of anN-acetyl-glucosamine residue comprising an alkyl group or fluoroalkylgroup; or, b. a partially or fully sulfated hyaluronan or thepharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, or a combinationthereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein then compound is a modifiedhyaluronan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the alkyl groups is an unsubstitutedalkyl group.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the unsubstituted alkylgroup is methyl.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluoroalkyl groupcomprises at least one trifluoromethyl group.
 6. The method of claim 2,wherein from 1% to 100% of the primary C-6 hydroxyl protons of theN-acetyl-glucosamine residue are substituted with an alkyl group orfluoroalkyl group.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the hyaluronan hasa molecular weight less than 10 kDa prior to modification.
 8. The methodof claim 2, wherein the hyaluronan has a molecular weight from 10 kDa to2,000 kDa prior to modification.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein atleast one C-2 hydroxyl proton and C-3 hydroxyl proton is substitutedwith a sulfate group.
 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the hyaluronanis sulfated at the C-4 hydroxyl position of the N-acetyl glucosaminemoiety, the C-2 position of the glucuronic acid moiety, the C-3 positionof the glucuronic acid, or any combination thereof.
 11. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the compound has a degree of sulfation from 0.5 to 4.0per disaccharide unit.
 12. The method of claim 2, wherein the alkylgroup is methyl and at least one C-2 hydroxyl proton and/or C-3 hydroxylproton is substituted with a sulfate group.
 13. The method of claim 2,wherein the alkyl group is methyl, at least one C-2 hydroxyl protonand/or C-3 hydroxyl proton is substituted with a sulfate group, and thecompound has a molecular weight of 2 kDa to 10 kDa.
 14. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the compound is a partially or fully sulfatedhyaluronan or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein at least one primary C-6 hydroxyl protonof the N-acetyl-glucosamine residue is substituted with a sulfate group.16. The method of claim 14, wherein from 1% to 100% of the primary C-6hydroxyl protons of the N-acetyl-glucosamine residue of hyaluronan aresubstituted with a sulfate group.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein atleast one C-2 hydroxyl proton and C-3 hydroxyl proton of a uronic acidresidue and at least one C-4 hydroxyl proton of an N-acetyl-glucosamineresidue is substituted with a sulfate group.
 18. The method of claim 14,wherein the compound has a degree of sulfation from 0.1 to 4.0 perdisaccharide unit.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the partially orfully sulfated hyaluronan has an average molecular size of less than 20kDa.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the partially sulfatedhyaluronan has an average molecular size from 2 kDa to 10 kDa.
 21. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable ester is aprodrug.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is administeredas a pharmaceutical composition.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein thecomposition comprises a capsule, a tablet, a chewing gum, a lozenge, apowder, or a beverage.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein thecomposition is administered intravenously, intramuscularly,subcutaneously, by ingestion, or transmucosally.
 25. The method of claim22, wherein the composition is administered transmucosally, wherein thetransmucosal administration comprises transbuccal, sublingual, oral,vaginal, intranasal, rectal, or by intravesical instillation.
 26. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the composition further comprises ananti-inflammatory agent, an anti-pyretic agent, steroidal andnon-steroidal drugs for anti-inflammatory use, a hormone, a growthfactor, a contraceptive agent, an antiviral, an antibacterial, anantifungal, an analgesics, a hypnotic, a sedative, a tranquilizer, ananti-convulsant, a muscle relaxant, a local anesthetic, anantispasmodic, an antiulcer drug, a peptidic agonist, a sympathiomimeticagent, a cardiovascular agent, an antitumor agent, or anoligonucleotide.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt of the compound (a) or (b) comprises an organic salt, ametal salt, or a combination thereof.
 28. The method of claim 1, whereinthe pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound (a) or (b)comprises a salt selected from the group consisting of NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺,Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Fe⁺², Fe⁺³, Cu⁺², Al⁺³, Zn⁺², 2-trimethylethanolammoniumcation (choline), or a quaternary salt of isopropylamine,trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine,ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, lysine,arginine, and histidine.
 29. The method of claim 1, wherein theurological inflammation comprises inflammation of the bladder, urethra,urothelium lining, kidney, prostate, vagina, uterus, or any combinationthereof.
 30. The method of claim 1, wherein the administration of thecompound inhibits the activity of LL-37 in a subject.
 31. A method forscreening a compound that can treat or prevent urological inflammationin a subject, the method comprising a. administering to thegenitourinary system of a laboratory animal an amount of LL-37 thatinduces urological inflammation in the subject; b. administering a testcompound to the animal prior to step (a) and/or after step (a) thecompound; and c. comparing the amount of urological inflammation in theanimal to that of a control animal that was administered the same amountof LL-37 but not the test compound.